Eisteddfods are held throughout Welsh-speaking comunities all around the world, and one of the longest-running and well-contested is that of Trevelin in Patagonia. Here Gwion of Ysgol y Cwm talks us through some of its competitions and traditions, and winning translation work by Alwen Green is presented.Trevelin is a town in the Welsh settlement of Chubut of Patagonia; its name derives from the Welsh for ‘flour mill’.

The new school term started with much excitement, as three of the five brand new classrooms were ready for teaching, as well as the new school hall, doubling the size of the school! Work is still underway on the completion of the unfinished classrooms, but they should be ready soon. The new classrooms are the fruits of the labour of Trevelin Welsh Association, who have been busy selling plots of land to finance the building work. The school is also very grateful to our friends in Wales who’ve contributed over the years, and still continue to do so. One of our biggest benefactors from Wales are Cymdeithas Hoelion Wyth, who’ve so far raised more than £15,000 for the school by selling imported Argentine Malbec wine in Wales and the rest of the UK.

Following the success of the ‘Meibion y Mimosa’ wine last year, another wine – ‘Gwynt y Paith’ - will shortly be available to buy. £2 from each bottle going towards the school, and a competition is being held to design a label for the bottle, so if you fancy yourself as a bit of an artist – or know anyone who does – get cracking! Details of the competition and prize can be found here. Our website also contains details of how you can help the school by donating towards the on-going building work and the day-to-day running of the school.

The new term brought with it a new group of teachers, and we would like to give a warm Trevelin welcome to Gruff from Pwllheli, who’s taken the place of Athro Emyr with the British Council this year, as well as to Sinead from Pontypridd, who’ll be helping to arrange activities and social events both here in the school in in the wider community, until the winter holiday in July. Welcome also to Manon from Llanelli, who’ll be spending three months volunteering at the school, as well as our two new Welsh language assistants, Frances and Dana. Both Frances and Dana started attending Ysgol Gymraeg yr Andes when they were in primary school, and by now both are fluent Welsh speakers. They will be working alongside the rest of the Welsh language teaching team at Ysgol y Cwm: Gruff, Sinead, Nia, Jessica, Margarita and Ximena. So, a warm welcome to everyone!

As you can imagine, we’ve been very busy here with all sorts of activities and events since the beginning of term, with the same colourful mix of Welsh and Argentine cultures as always! In April we held a Parti Piws, alongside schools from all over Wales, to celebrate the 10th birthday of the Dewin and Doti, who are characters from the Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin (Nursery School Movement). Both Dewin and his loyal dog Doti are very popular with the Ysgol y Cwm nursery children, and everyone had a fantastic time celebrating, dressed in purple!

Another popular character here at the school is Sali Mali, and everyone is looking forward to celebrating her 50th birthday next month. Keep an eye out for the pictures on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

The Year 3 children have been busy practicing their Welsh skills with visitors from Wales throughout the new term, taking turns to guide the visitors around the school – so the future of tourist guides in Trevelin is in safe hands!

The Trevelin Eisteddfod, held once again at the Rifleros’ School at the end of April, was a sweeping success for all involved. As is tradition, all the local schools competed on the Friday afternoon, and truly was a feast of song, dance and recital, which included the Year 3 cyd-adrodd (group recital) gang – The Chimangos – as well as lots of Welsh and Argentine folk dancing, and even an American Line Dancing ensemble, under the guidance of one of the school’s parents.

Ysgol y Cwm is preparing to celebrate the May Revolution, which is celebrated annually on 25th of May. This is the date when Argentina started its march towards independence back in 1810. The school will celebrate with a feast of singing, dancing and traditional foods, so keep your eyes peeled for the photos in the next edition of the newsletter.